My dear friend Sandy showed me this photo today and it made me cry. This is a photo of new life at a giant banyan tree in a little town called Lahaina on a little island called Maui. That tree was planted 150 years ago by missionaries that came there, and it had become the largest one in the islands and I think the largest one in the United States. When Lahaina burned down the Banyan tree burned too. And look! New life is springing up from the ashes. New life. How symbolic is this? It means a lot to me, and I’m sure to many of you too when we think of what we’ve been through, as well as the people of Lahaina and so many who lost their lives. They lost everything they had in that fire. Family, friends, homes, vehicles, businesses, their livelihood.
This one little green sprout is a symbol to people who have lost everything there, as well as to others who are going through trials and suffering. No matter how bad things look, no matter how complete the devastation may seem, and in so many cases actually is, God brings new life and resurrection out of the ashes!
I hope this brings someone encouragement. And by the way, all of you who have been so amazingly encouraging to me and praying for me, and have been lifting me up, I am so blessed. Thank you all! You are locking your shields together over me and I feel it! It’s working! I am a blessed woman!
